READING WITH PURPOSE BOOK GROUP WITH MAIN LINE SCHOOL NIGHT: ANNOUNCING OUR SPRING SEASON: WE READ BANNED BOOKS!
During the past several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of books being banned by schools and libraries in different regions of the U.S. What themes do these books have in common? What is accomplished by preventing access to certain titles? Booksellers, teachers, librarians and advocacy groups agree that blanket bans are not an appropriate response to topics that some find controversial. Indeed, after a book has been banned, the demand for it seems to grow. This spring we'll read three such books and discuss the conflict between censorship and intellectual freedom. Classes included in the series: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks-3/1; The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones-3/29; This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson-5/3. REGISTER FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL SESSION BELOW FOR $35, LISTED BY DATE. TO RESERVE COPIES OF ANY OF THESE BOOKS, CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US.
During the past several years, there has been a steady increase in the number of books being banned by schools and libraries in different regions of the U.S. What themes do these books have in common? What is accomplished by preventing access to certain titles? Booksellers, teachers, librarians and advocacy groups agree that blanket bans are not an appropriate response to topics that some find controversial. Indeed, after a book has been banned, the demand for it seems to grow. This spring we'll read three such books and discuss the conflict between censorship and intellectual freedom. Classes included in the series: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks-3/1; The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones-3/29; This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson-5/3. REGISTER FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL SESSION BELOW FOR $35, LISTED BY DATE. TO RESERVE COPIES OF ANY OF THESE BOOKS, CLICK HERE TO EMAIL US.
WED. MAR. 29 @ 7PM: READING WITH PURPOSE BOOK GROUP (Creutzburg Center, 260 Gulph Creek Rd., Radnor) The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones: What began as a journalistic endeavor in the New York Times and subsequently published in book form, The 1619 Project immediately drew a potent mix of both praise and criticism. The work, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the first African slaves arriving in the English colony of Virginia, has been variously called "essential reading" and "revisionist history." Once again, we'll be engaging in discussion and we encourage your participation! Click HERE to register at MLSN for this session, $35.
SAT. APR. 1, 4PM: AUTHOR EVENT-- You know him as “Mike the All-Natural Science Guy” on WXPN's Kids Corner and, of course, as our Narberth neighbor. But did you know that Mike Weilbacher is the executive director of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education in Philadelphia, the region’s largest and oldest nature center? He is an environmental educator with 40 years of experience teaching through nature walks, lectures, newspaper essays, theatrical performances, and radio.
Mike's new book, WILD PHILLY, is equal parts natural history, field guide, and trip planner. This handy yet extensive guide looks at the factors that shape local nature and profiles over 100 local species, from beautiful flowers and towering trees to majestic birds and surprising city-dwellers like coyotes and red foxes. Also included are descriptions of day trips that help you explore natural wonders on hiking trails, in public parks, and in your own backyard. It has something for everyone! Click HERE to RSVP and/or to reserve your copy of the book!
Mike's new book, WILD PHILLY, is equal parts natural history, field guide, and trip planner. This handy yet extensive guide looks at the factors that shape local nature and profiles over 100 local species, from beautiful flowers and towering trees to majestic birds and surprising city-dwellers like coyotes and red foxes. Also included are descriptions of day trips that help you explore natural wonders on hiking trails, in public parks, and in your own backyard. It has something for everyone! Click HERE to RSVP and/or to reserve your copy of the book!
SUN. APR. 23 @ 5PM: Poet Joan Barasovska returns!
In Orange Tulips, Joan explores the perilous territory where, as a young woman, she was “neither dead nor safe.” We follow her out onto the ledges and lethal precipices of her own mind, then into locked psychiatric wards, where she battles a “death sentence [that] glares from both sides” of her family tree. In the halls of madness, she finds herself writing down the “accidental poetry/of overheard hallucinations.” These are brave poems, unflinching in their examination of a period of near self-destruction in the poet’s life. These are also poems that relish “the ecstatic lift/of strength and artifice” that poetry-making contributes to the difficult work of becoming who we are. A triumphant Barasovska emerges in these pages, enjoining us to “Admire me in my bikini on the high dive / blindfolded and in love at the same time. And admire her we do, for being so in love with poetry that she saved her life." —Victoria Reynolds, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and poet
In Orange Tulips, Joan explores the perilous territory where, as a young woman, she was “neither dead nor safe.” We follow her out onto the ledges and lethal precipices of her own mind, then into locked psychiatric wards, where she battles a “death sentence [that] glares from both sides” of her family tree. In the halls of madness, she finds herself writing down the “accidental poetry/of overheard hallucinations.” These are brave poems, unflinching in their examination of a period of near self-destruction in the poet’s life. These are also poems that relish “the ecstatic lift/of strength and artifice” that poetry-making contributes to the difficult work of becoming who we are. A triumphant Barasovska emerges in these pages, enjoining us to “Admire me in my bikini on the high dive / blindfolded and in love at the same time. And admire her we do, for being so in love with poetry that she saved her life." —Victoria Reynolds, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and poet
WED. MAY 3 @ 7PM: READING WITH PURPOSE BOOK GROUP (Creutzburg Center, 260 Gulph Creek Rd., Radnor), This Book is Gay by Juno Dawson: Books addressing topics pertinent to LGBTQIA+ communities are among the most frequently banned in 2022. Juno Dawson's candid work of nonfiction is no exception. It features true stories from people across the sexual and gender spectrums, complete with humorous illustrations. Though intended for young adults, the book has much to offer to today's grown-ups. We're looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this timely book at our discussion! Click HERE to register for this session, $35.
